Dental anxiety is normal and treatable
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Dr Darryl Marsh writes… In this blog entry I want to start to talk about dental pain, fear of the dentist and the anxiety that this often results in.
An important key to making dental visits pain free is to be aware that pain is a personal emotional response to what is happening. Different people can have the same thing happen to them: step on a thorn, stub their toe, or have a dental injection, and they will feel a different ‘amount of pain’ for exactly the same incident.
“If you are anxious about dental treatment, you are likely to be more ‘sensitive’ to what you feel at your visits.”
Understanding your dental anxiety
If dental patients have had bad experiences in the past and they are anxious about having dental visits, then ‘the pain they feel’ will be a lot greater than if they are more relaxed about dental treatment.
In other words if you are anxious about dental treatment, you are likely to be more ‘sensitive’ to what you feel at your visits. Being a sensitive or anxious dental patient is nothing to feel guilty or embarrassed about.
How to ‘fear-proof’ your dental visits
Having a bad experience in the past does not mean that anxious patients are doomed to having painful dental visits the rest of their lives.
It does mean that if they want to help to move forward, their dentist needs to invest some extra time and TLC to reduce their level of anxiety, as well as reduce what is physically felt during their dental visits.
Work with your dentist to beat anxiety
In order to beat the natural fear of pain, you and your dentist must become students of all the tricks and techniques of dental pain, fear management and pain prevention.
As the dentist, I need to diagnose and treat your fears and concerns first, then move onto the tooth problems.
Please note that all of the techniques used in our practice are available to be used by any dentist. I don’t pretend to know anything or do anything that nobody else knows about. I simply ensure that all of these helpful techniques are available for patients. My dentist used none of these techniques for me when I was a child in the 1960’s. I really wish he had and that is what motivates me to do my very best to help people who have had problems with their visits to the dentist in the past.
“As the dentist, I need to diagnose and treat your fears and concerns first, then move onto the tooth problems.”
almost luxurious experience.
I highly recommend this dentist, especially if you suffer with anxiety or a fear of dentistry."
Your first visit at Today’s Dentistry is all about creating a Dental Roadmap so you know exactly what condition your teeth and gums are in, and what your options are for treatment.
Your first appointment includes:
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“Working with patients of all ages continues to ignite my passion within dentistry and I strive to provide a gentle, supportive and positive environment for every patient I work with. ”
B. App Sci (Oral Health)
“I enjoy seeing the delight that our patients show when they realise how easy dental care can be! Our team at Today’s Dentistry work together to make every patient feel completely comfortable.”
Dr Sharon's commitment to excellence has shown itself right from the start of her dental career, when she graduated from the University of Queensland with Class I Honours. Her commitment to her craft is reflected in the numerous professional development courses she participates in, with a desire to get the best possible outcomes for her patients.
Dr. Sharon is passionate about empowering patients through education about their dental conditions, supporting them through overcoming dental anxiety, and helping them achieve their dental goals.
Away from the clinic, Dr. Sharon is an avid baker, a keen photographer, and a fitness enthusiast aiming to conquer the Bridge to Brisbane run in 2023.
I always loved going to my own dental visits, and one day I honestly just though ‘why don’t I give dental assisting a go’. I applied for a job and got a call back straight away, and have been in the industry ever since!
I studied my Cert 3 in Dental Assisting online alongside working full time in my first dental job. I chose to do it online so I had more time to work as I am more of a hands on learner.
I LOVE smile makeovers. I love seeing the joy, and happiness it brings patients and the amount of confidence they gain by having their dream smile.
I love feeling like I am making some sort of impact on people’s lives. Whether it is helping them with their smile makeover, holding their hand during a procedure or just being an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.
The team, they are all so wonderful and both Darryl and David are so great to work for. But also what our core value is – which is patient care. I think we are a really great team at making sure our patients come first and their experience with us is a positive one each and every time.
Brisbane born and bred, Sarah’s passion for dentistry began during her orthodontic treatment in her teens. After graduating from highschool, Sarah began working as a dental nurse and decided her true calling was as a dental hygienist. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2006 and has worked in both the private and public sector since then.
Sarah’s focus is on prevention and education. Her goal is to empower her patients so that they can achieve and maintain the best possible oral health for life.
In her free time Sarah can be found spending time with her two sons, hiking, attending a pilates class or exploring Brisbane and the surrounds looking for new restaurants to eat at or adventures to have.
I have been a proud part of the Today's Dentistry team for 20 years now.
My journey to get here though was anything but straight forward and I can probably thank my own childhood family dental visits in Newcastle NSW for my interest in this area of care. It too was a very special practice that took the time with their patients young and old and truly cared about them.
Having my own great experiences as a patient I was thrilled for them to accept me for my Year 10 work experience as a dental assistant and fell comfortably into the role. Due to life as it was back then and lack of public transport my career took me in a whole different direction and I had many years at the Aluminium Smelter in Kurri Kurri.
Once my children were at school I applied for a position as a receptionist at the local Dental Practice only to be told it was actually for an assistant and was I still interested? Silly question! Hands on training the old school way which put me in great position for further learning when our family moved to WA for a couple of years and then finally finding my way to QLD and Darrly and David.
Dentistry to me is a package of many very important parts, the precision and artistry of the actual treatment, the person behind the treatment and understanding of not only their dental needs but emotional drivers and the communication and care to put this all together. Although I now find myself not chairside but doing the behind the scenes administration I still get to talk with our patients and be confident that they are in good hands with my wonderful team.
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“I love the professionalism and challenge at Today’s Dentistry. It is great to work at a practice that believes in quality patient care”
Founder and Principal Dentist
“I value the many loyal patient relationships that I have built over the last 25 years and enjoy witnessing the procedures I have done stand the test of time.”
B. App Sci (Oral Health)
“I have worked in Dentistry in one form or another since I was 16 years old. I love this profession and making a difference in others lives.”
B.DSc (Hons) B.Sc (Hons)
“Although I love the scientific side of dentistry, I also get a great deal of satisfaction from helping our patients and surprising them with what modern dentistry is capable of.”